Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HR109

Introduced
3/11/22  

Caption

Requesting The Governor And Mayor Of The City And County Of Honolulu To Affirm The Safe Access Oahu Program Will Not Be Unnecessarily Extended Beyond The March 5, 2022, Sunset Date.

Impact

The resolution highlights the adverse effects that the Safe Access Oahu program has had on small businesses, which were already struggling during the pandemic. Statistics cited in the bill reveal that the state witnessed some of the highest business closure rates in the U.S., with many local enterprises on the brink of shutting down due to extended restrictions. The request seeks to provide clarity and support for local businesses by ensuring that they are not burdened by indefinite or retroactive extensions of emergency measures, which can create confusion among both operators and customers.

Summary

House Resolution 109 (HR109) requests the Governor and Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu to affirm that the Safe Access Oahu program will not be unnecessarily extended beyond its initial sunset date of March 5, 2022. The Safe Access Oahu program was enacted in September 2021 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, particularly the Delta variant, and mandated that employees and customers at certain businesses provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to operate or enter these establishments. Initially intended to last for a set period, the program has faced multiple extensions due to rising infection rates from subsequent variants, notably the Omicron variant.

Contention

The contention surrounding this resolution stems from the balance between public health measures and economic stability. While the intention behind the Safe Access Oahu program is to reduce virus transmission and protect citizens, there has been significant pushback from business owners and advocates who argue that prolonged restrictions undermine their viability and lead to economic detriment. Additionally, concerns about potential overreach by local government authorities in continuously extending emergency health measures have raised issues of trust and transparency among residents, further complicating the conversation regarding safe public access versus economic imperatives.

Companion Bills

HI HCR113

Same As Requesting The Governor And Mayor Of The City And County Of Honolulu To Affirm The Safe Access Oahu Program Will Not Be Unnecessarily Extended Beyond The March 5, 2022, Sunset Date.

Previously Filed As

HI HR157

Requesting The City And County Of Honolulu And Department Of Transportation To Provide Covered Bus Shelters At All Bus Stops On Oahu.

HI HR97

Urging The City And County Of Honolulu To Amend The Revised Ordinances Of Honolulu, As Proposed In A Bill By The Honolulu Youth Commission, That Creates A Safe Parking Pilot Program.

HI HCR177

Requesting The City And County Of Honolulu And Department Of Transportation To Provide Covered Bus Shelters At All Bus Stops On Oahu.

HI HCR116

Urging The City And County Of Honolulu To Amend The Revised Ordinances Of Honolulu, As Proposed In A Bill By The Honolulu Youth Commission, That Creates A Safe Parking Pilot Program.

HI HR5

Urging The City And County Of Honolulu To Establish A New Satellite City Hall Office In Mililani To Improve Access To Government Services.

HI HR203

Requesting The City And County Of Honolulu To Convene A Task Force To Study Permitted Events In Urban Honolulu.

HI HCR15

Urging The City And County Of Honolulu To Establish A New Satellite City Hall Office In Mililani To Improve Access To Government Services.

HI HCR62

Requesting The City And County Of Honolulu To Transfer To The State The City And County Of Honolulu's Authority To Construct A Makakilo Drive Extension.

HI SCR110

Requesting The City And County Of Honolulu To Transfer To The State The City And County Of Honolulu's Authority To Construct A Makakilo Drive Extension.

HI HCR223

Requesting The City And County Of Honolulu To Convene A Task Force To Study Permitted Events In Urban Honolulu.

Similar Bills

HI HR94

Urging The Honolulu City Council To Review Its Ordinance On Chickens, Investigate The Ordinance's Role In Contributing To The Growing Population Of Feral Chickens, And Take Action To Reduce The Growing Problem Of Feral Chickens.

HI HCR99

Urging The Honolulu City Council To Review Its Ordinance On Chickens, Investigate The Ordinance's Role In Contributing To The Growing Population Of Feral Chickens, And Take Action To Reduce The Growing Problem Of Feral Chickens.

HI HR111

Urging The Honolulu City Council To Fund The Core Services For The People Of Oahu Before Funding The Rail With Its New Hotel Room Tax.

HI SR113

Urging The Mayor Of The City And County Of Honolulu, Honolulu City Council, And Honolulu Authority For Rapid Transportation To Find A Means To Fund The Construction Of The Park-and-ride Garage At Waiawa Station And Urging The Department Of Transportation Services Of The City And County Of Honolulu To Establish Additional Transit Services Between Central Oahu And Waiawa Station.

HI SR195

Urging The Mayor Of The City And County Of Honolulu, Honolulu Police Department, And Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney's Office To Collaborate With Local Businesses And Community Partners To Implement Safe And Sound Programs In Ewa Beach, Kapolei, And Waianae.

HI SCR220

Urging The Mayor Of The City And County Of Honolulu, Honolulu Police Department, And Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney's Office To Collaborate With Local Businesses And Community Partners To Implement Safe And Sound Programs In Ewa Beach, Kapolei, And Waianae.

HI SR31

Urging The Department Of Planning And Permitting Of The City And County Of Honolulu, Mayor Of The City And County Of Honolulu, And The Honolulu City Council To Ensure Greater Public Input Prior To The Construction Of Wind Machines Having A Rated Capacity Of Up To One Hundred Kilowatts.

HI SCR36

Urging The Department Of Planning And Permitting Of The City And County Of Honolulu, Mayor Of The City And County Of Honolulu, And The Honolulu City Council To Ensure Greater Public Input Prior To The Construction Of Wind Machines Having A Rated Capacity Of Up To One Hundred Kilowatts.